gwen_stefani_21.jpg image by sil-v-licious
gwen_stefani_21.jpg image by sil-v-licious


Biography: Gwen Stefani is a thirty nine year old female recording artist and fashion designer who was born on October 3, 1989 in Fullerton, California. Her parents are Dennis and Patti Stefani and has three other siblings Eric Stefani, Jill and Todd Stefani. Her and her brother Eric began a band called No Doubt. Gwen was the backup vocals for the band and then became the lead singer. It was in 1995 when the band recorded their first album Tragic Kingdom and sold millions of copies. Their singles "Just a Girl" and "Don't Speak" grew the bands popularity. However, it was their fourth album Return to Saturn in 2000 where their popularity declined. In 2004 is when Gwen Stefani recorded her first solo album Love Angel Baby Music (L.A.M.B.) that emerged in great success with sales over 7 million copies. It was the album's third single, "Hollaback Girl" that grew her international success. It was not until 2006 where she introduced her second solo album The Sweet Escape hitting the top charts with her hits "Sweet Escape" and "Wind it Up." Over the years with Gwen Stefani's involvement in the music business she has sold over 30 million albums including her work in No Doubt, won her the World's Best Selling New Female Artist at the World Music Awards in 2005. In 2003 Gwen was known as a fashion trendsetter and started her own clothing line called L.A.M.B.. Today Gwen Stefani is still married to her husband Gavin Rossdale and has two baby boys Kingston James McGregor Rossdale and Zuma Nest Rock Rossdale.

Discography:

Tragic Kingdom is Gwen's third studio album with the band No Doubt. The album was released on October 10, 1995 and became great success with their singles "Don't Speak" and "Just a Girl" that where charted on the Billboard Top 100 received positive reviews for the album. The band even earned nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rock Album at the 39th Grammy Awards.

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Gwen Stefani's First solo album was L.A.M.B. Love Angel Music Baby that was recorded on November 22, 2004. The album yield 6 singles and high sales, going multi-platinum in many countries. This album earned Gwen 6 Grammy Award nominations in 2005 and 2006. The biggest hit song was "Hollaback Girl" with many others such as "What You Waiting For?" and "Rich Girl" featuring female rapper Eve.Gwen Stefani's pop rock and dance genre album was a favorable reviews to critics all over.

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Sweet Escape is Gwen Stefani's second solo album that was released in December 4, 2006. The albums first week debuted number three on Billboard 200 and made great success internationally around the world. Gwen's hit singles was "Wind it Up" and "Sweet Escape" featuring rapper Akon.

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Awards:
2005 Won Favorite Pop/rock Female Artist at American Music Awards
2002 Won Best Rap Collaboration with Eve for "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" at the Grammy Awards
2001 Won Best Female Video for "Hollaback Girl" MTV Awards
2005 Won Best Choreography MTV Awards
2005 Won Video of the Year MTV Awards
2005 Won Best Art Direction for "What You Waiting For" MTV Awards
2001 Won R&B/Hip Hop Track for "Let me Blow Ya Mind" Teen Choice Awards
2005 Won Choice Breakout Teen Choice Awards
2005 Won Best Female Video Teen Choice Awards
2005 Won Visionary Award Teen Choice Awards
2005 Won Choice Collaboration Teen Choice Awards

Style: Gwen Stefani's musical genre is a variation of pop, punk, and alternative rock. One of Gwen Stefani's hit song that was very successful and that will never fade away is "Hollaback Girl."

This pop song was written by Gwen Stefani and Pharell for Gwen's first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. that was released on March 15, 2005. This hit single became very popular because of the beat of the song and innovative lyrics written by Gwen.

Lyrics: "Hollaback Girl" - lyrics

I heard that you were talking s*
And you didn't think that I would hear it
People hear you talking like that, getting everybody fired up
So I'm ready to attack, gonna lead the pack
Gonna get a touchdown, gonna take you out
That's right, put your pom-poms down, getting everybody fired up

This song was inspired by a comment made by Courtney Love to Seventeen magazine calling Gwen Stefani a "cheerleader." Gwen Stefani said in response," You want me to be a cheerleader? Well, I will be one then. And I'll rule the whole world, just you watch me."

That's exactly what Gwen Stefani did she wrote an"attitude song" on her album which made huge success and became her hit single.

Opinion: My opinion of the song "Hollaback Girl" is that is an enjoyable song to listen to. It has a unique rhythm and you can dance to easily. This song can brighten up your day easily, if your having a bad day or something went wrong and just wanted to get revenge for something you can blast this in your car and listen to this song. Gwen is a true artist and is very creative, especially after viewing her music video for Hollaback Girl she is creative and very visionary and has a rockin' attitude and her songs make people feel stronger and have a good time.

Music Video: This is one of Gwen Stefani's hit singles "Sweet Escape" video that shows Gwen's creativity and innovative ideas. The meaning behind the lyrics is about an arguement between spouses and she apologizes about her doings and ask for forgiveness and just wants to escape to a better place.








Evaluation: Gwen Stefani is one of my favorite artist that i enjoy listening to. Her creativity and rythnm of her genre of music is pleasing to hear a new beat in music. Her songs are easy going and you can have a fun time with them singing and dancing. Gwen Stefani is a very creative artist and visionary throughtout her song writting and video production that made herself a famous recording artist and a great success in the music business. Her pop rock songs became hit singles and won many awards because of them. What i like about Gwen Stefani is her personality that you can see through by her songs she writes and the distinct lyrics. She writes about what she feels and has a good time with it and has an awesome time doing it.



Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwen_Stefani
http://www.gwenstefani.com/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005461/
http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Stefani,_Gwen/Pictures/
http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/stefani_gwen/artist.jhtml